Good/Bad/Weird Retail Experiences

[numbah1grimey]

To piggyback OP's T Mobile experience, I had to swap out phones at Verizon about a month ago. I picked a phone, dude goes in the back, comes out, cracks the box and starts working. About 30 seconds in, I realized he brought out a different style than what I asked for, and I tell him this. My man hits me with "Oh, sorry. But since the box has been opened, it'll be a $60 restocking fee if you exchange it." I said OK, but YOU made the mistake, so how do I have to pay a restock fee to get the phone I actually asked for? He says sorry, it's company policy. At this point I'm starting to get hot, but he's not budging, so I ask for a manager. Manager comes out and she already has her mind made up as to how this conversation is gonna go. Feeds me some BS about how that WAS the phone I asked for, and tries to put the blame back on me. Being a total smart-*** ***, talking to me like I'm dumb. I asked her to look at my account and see how long I'd been with Verizon and she deadass says "19 years. Wow, good for you. But it's still a $60 restocking fee if you want to swap this phone." Right then, I realize I'm stuck. Can't even get my old phone back without getting hit with this fee, so I just laugh in her face and tell dude to put my sht in a bag so I can leave. He walks me to the door, apologizes for messing things up, and tells me to call customer service because he's pretty sure they'll sort it out.

Call customer service the next day, and they took care of everything, including filing a detailed report about the manager for a write-up.

Would’ve politely said “give me my old phone back”, and drive to another store.

And he’s so silly, why didn’t he ASK if that was the proper phone you wanted, before opening? Some people have no common sense

 

[numbah1grimey]

Buying a phone/ service is a horrible experience now. No I don’t want a tv subscription or rent a center payment plans.

Greed bro, greed. Phones are such a necessity but these stupid companies try to peddle more. Like dawg, everybody has a phone nowadays. You guys will forever make money. Relax

 

[numbah1grimey]

My 1st job ever was at Safeway as a bagger. After bagging up everything in plastic the customer would say "oh I wanted paper" I'd squeeze the **** out of the tomatoes when rebagging it. Lasted 2 weeks there until it was Vietnamese New Year & I called in sick. Manager said "No you have to come in!" Told him I quit! Grocery store job is something I would never do again.

When I was working at Old Navy SF & see a broke looking family I'd purposely not scan some items to let them have it for free. One of the funnest jobs I've ever had. This store is 5 or 6 stories & had fine *** girls all day.

That last paragraph, you a real one

 

[slighted]

I think everyone should work retail, some sort of food/service, and childcare at some point in their lives. Changes everything

What are the most important/useful lessons you've learned?

 

[Mr Dink]

As a store manager, I have countless stories but none I can think of at the moment.

One thing I will say is, I emphasize to my team about "keeping it real." As much as I value customer service, I don't put on a fake smile or any fake politeness for any customer. I talk to every body as I would any other person. Just general politeness, nothing over the top or super cheery. If you ask me a stupid question, I will let you know with a smart *** answer.

 

[cedric ceballos]

Greed bro, greed. Phones are such a necessity but these stupid companies try to peddle more. Like dawg, everybody has a phone nowadays. You guys will forever make money. Relax

It’s so damn annoying. I went to kohl’s to buy stuff last month. They tried to pitch me the store credit card. I told the employee no. The employee asked me 2 more times and kept trying to pitch it. I got annoyed and asked for manager. I talked to the manager. Emphasized that the employee was doing her job. I wasn’t upset at her. But I was mad at management and corporate for pushing this upsell, upsell, upsell, pushing credit cards (which get people in debt) mindset on their employees and reprimanding them and getting on their case if they don’t reach certain numbers on something they have no control over. I sent corporate a pissed off email too.

When I managed at lids it was discount cards, accessories and getting embroidery on hats. I knew how to manipulate things by ringing things up a certain way to embellish everyone’s numbers but the way they would push that crap was irritating.

When I sold furniture it was protection plans (which in a lot of cases they don’t honor the warranty), mattress protectors (which could be had cheaper elsewhere), they would obsess over numbers. I had a $10k sale one time. Real decent commission for me. Almost lost it because the idiot managers kept nagging the guy to purchase a protection plan and a protector for his mattress. The customer told me he had insurance was adamant about how he didn’t need it. I had to pull him aside before calling over management to review things and told him in a worse case scenario the stuff was covered through the vendors and you get the same mattress protectors at homegoods for less and to just ignore the managers stupid pitch. Idiot managers kept nagging and bugging that he almost walked. I was able to close it, when the guest left they were nagging about not adding that crap on. I went off, the guy just dropped 10k. They almost pushed him away and they’re nagging about stupid add on crap.

 

[stuntman mike]

When I was working at Old Navy SF & see a broke looking family I'd purposely not scan some items to let them have it for free.

 

[mplsdunk]

Yeah I got fired from Best Buy when I was 16 for that.

They got mad at me because I wouldn’t sell the credit cards/replacements

They asked why my numbers are so low I kept it real. I said it’s not like I’m gonna make more money from selling them and no one wants them anyways.

It was my first job. Place was trash.

 

[alchemist iq]

Yeah I got fired from Best Buy when I was 16 for that.

They got mad at me because I wouldn’t sell the credit cards/replacements

They asked why my numbers are so low I kept it real. I said it’s not like I’m gonna make more money from selling them and no one wants them anyways.

It was my first job. Place was trash.

Worked at best buy in my college years. The discount was great, but man the place was filled with snake like sales people. Straight up liars. At least I kept it real with people on reasons why they should and shouldn't get the protection plan. I did decent #s but most of my sales weren't returned or met with disgruntled people when they realize they didn't need bull crap geek
squad services

 

[cedric ceballos]

That trying to pitch the company credit card stuff is for the birds.

The crazy thing though sales wise, when I worked commission sales, I’d be honest as can be, wouldn’t be overbearing, I just winged it and did what worked for me rather than follow what the company wanted us to do and I’d sell real well. The folks who would be pushy and would overdo it would get mad cancellations on orders they pushed though or they would leave, come back another time, they would tell me how they had a bad experience last time and about 20 mins later i was writing the sale. The commission stuff was fun aside from the micromanaging.

 

[mplsdunk]

Bro the managers were WILD. like that **** was their whole reason for existing.

They were put on this earth to sell replacement plans and credit cards for NO extra money.

And yeah I’m not gonna tell you to get a replacement plan on a damn paper shredder.

 

[stuntman mike]

i remember going to NYC around 09 i think and everyone told me that the dudes at supreme were *******s. i went in there expecting the worse. i grabbed a tee (anarchy coin) and when i went up to the counter, the guy politely asked if i wanted him to check in the back for other colors. i wonder if he eventually got fired for being too nice?

 

[blastercombo]

What are the most important/useful lessons you've learned?

How to treat people with respect
How to be treated with respect
Public speaking
How to present an augment
How to read people
How to deal with different situations
How to avoid situations
Who to avoid
How to avoid them

I can go on forever

 

[blastercombo]

Bro the managers were WILD. like that **** was their whole reason for existing.

They were put on this earth to sell replacement plans and credit cards for NO extra money.

And yeah I’m not gonna tell you to get a replacement plan on a damn paper shredder.

Homies talking about making daily goals and rubbing elbows with corporate and why I should care

I’m getting 8 bucks an hour regardless. Was friends with a manager that worked on commission while I was on hourly. Some days would be so slow we’d make 10-15 sales from 4 to close. Of course I’m giving dude all the sales because I’m getting the same pay no matter what. Head manager came to me talking about how I need to look out for myself. I said I can work in any store in this mall and make the same amount and dip on to the next one. Once I told them I didn’t have any aspirations to be a manager at all in my ******* life my hours go cut down to once a week. Lol

 

[mplsdunk]

Bro I remember on Black Friday my manager was walking around fist pumping and dancing and ringing a bell because we hit 100k in sales.

I’m like yo, you still make 27k a year salary and get written up if your blue shirt is untucked.

Bestbuy was so corny.

 

[blastercombo]

Another good lesson is they your employee discount is nothing more than a ploy to put your paycheck right back into the company. You making 200 bucks and throwing 180 right back isn’t smart or “saving” anything

 

[Nujavez]

Bro I remember on Black Friday my manager was walking around fist pumping and dancing and ringing a bell because we hit 100k in sales.

I’m like yo, you still make 27k a year salary and get written up if your blue shirt is untucked.

Bestbuy was so corny.

My manager used to do that too every time we hit new sales record. None of us cared because the whole day was hell of non stop work. Wasn't retail tho

 

[shogun]

I remember a long time ago, like maybe 9 years back I went to Footlocker to buy some af1s. Tried them on and noticed only one shoe had those cardboard inserts. Salesguy was like I'll get you more inserts and he'll leave them with the shoes at the register. I was like aight. I go to pay and the employee at the register said it was an additional $10+ plus for those inserts. I thought he just was gonna get an extra one they had in the back but just tried to trick me into buying a pack they were selling as an accessory. Told the cashier to take it back. Them pushing accessories like that on customers is ridiculous.

 

[alchemist iq]

Bro I remember on Black Friday my manager was walking around fist pumping and dancing and ringing a bell because we hit 100k in sales.

I’m like yo, you still make 27k a year salary and get written up if your blue shirt is untucked.

Bestbuy was so corny.

What a lame.
They had a manager in my spot who made it rain, in the manger office after black Friday. They had it on camera and everything. Surprisingly they didn't fried him(probably cause he was white)

One manger did a inside job where the iPads were kept in the security room in front of the store where it was originally kept in the storage room in the back. Later that night dudes pull up in a pick Truck ram the front door with the whip and loaded a butt load of iPads that was locked in the cage. 100k worth of iPads and MacBook gone!!

 

[danikerhino]

I worked Best Buy in the weekends a few years back for the discounts. It was cool, I would have some good convos with my customers and I didn't pressure myself to be the best at sells. I mostly just told customers what I would do in their situations as far as buying protection or applying for a credit card. No manager really bothered me though probably because I didn't work that often and I didn't really **** around like the other employees. In my opinion, they should offer commission because at the end of the day, the smart employees won't stay so they're always left with young people that don't give a ****.

 

[mplsdunk]

Latrell sprewell would always come though my line buying the most random stuff.

 

[robtoofresco]

Homies talking about making daily goals and rubbing elbows with corporate and why I should care

I’m getting 8 bucks an hour regardless. Was friends with a manager that worked on commission while I was on hourly. Some days would be so slow we’d make 10-15 sales from 4 to close. Of course I’m giving dude all the sales because I’m getting the same pay no matter what. Head manager came to me talking about how I need to look out for myself. I said I can work in any store in this mall and make the same amount and dip on to the next one. Once I told them I didn’t have any aspirations to be a manager at all in my ****ing life my hours go cut down to once a week. Lol

Hahaha they thought they were grooming the next protege

 

[numbah1grimey]

The lil shoe cleaning kiosk in the mall when they try to do their little spiel about the cleaning process.

One dude asked my cousin “let me clean your shoes” my cousin said “clean yours first” I died

 

[numbah1grimey]

It’s so damn annoying. I went to kohl’s to buy stuff last month. They tried to pitch me the store credit card. I told the employee no. The employee asked me 2 more times and kept trying to pitch it. I got annoyed and asked for manager. I talked to the manager. Emphasized that the employee was doing her job. I wasn’t upset at her. But I was mad at management and corporate for pushing this upsell, upsell, upsell, pushing credit cards (which get people in debt) mindset on their employees and reprimanding them and getting on their case if they don’t reach certain numbers on something they have no control over. I sent corporate a pissed off email too.

When I managed at lids it was discount cards, accessories and getting embroidery on hats. I knew how to manipulate things by ringing things up a certain way to embellish everyone’s numbers but the way they would push that crap was irritating.

When I sold furniture it was protection plans (which in a lot of cases they don’t honor the warranty), mattress protectors (which could be had cheaper elsewhere), they would obsess over numbers. I had a $10k sale one time. Real decent commission for me. Almost lost it because the idiot managers kept nagging the guy to purchase a protection plan and a protector for his mattress. The customer told me he had insurance was adamant about how he didn’t need it. I had to pull him aside before calling over management to review things and told him in a worse case scenario the stuff was covered through the vendors and you get the same mattress protectors at homegoods for less and to just ignore the managers stupid pitch. Idiot managers kept nagging and bugging that he almost walked. I was able to close it, when the guest left they were nagging about not adding that crap on. I went off, the guy just dropped 10k. They almost pushed him away and they’re nagging about stupid add on crap.

Man. Someone’s dropping 10k, I’m closing the deal immediately . Like you said, he’d spending $10,000!! Can’t nag a person spending like that cause they’ll definitely leave and spend elsewhere . I would’ve been irate with the manager too

 

[Deleted member 224707]

I walked into an Office Max once and there was a trail of smeared human poop throughout the store on the floor. Apparently some Asian dude was just walking around dumping some out and stepping in it.